My Town

Pets and Wildlife Calendar: Feb. 2 and beyond

By Kathy Bennett

Contra Costa Times

Posted:
02/01/2013 05:01:02 PM PST

Updated:
02/01/2013 05:01:02 PM PST

Events

EAST BAY

Super Bowl Cat Adoptions: In honor of the Super Bowl, Outcast Cat Help is offering cat adoptions for $49 through Feb. 2. See available cats at www.outcastcat.org or meet them from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 2, at Petfood Express, 609 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. 925-231-0639.

Free admission day at Lindsay Wildlife Museum: Visit the Lindsay Wildlife Museum from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 2 and admission is free. Visitors can meet and learn about the resident wildlife and see museum renovations including the new "Hospital Behind the Scenes" and "Raptors" exhibit. The museum is located at 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.

Duck Walk: Hear a short lecture on duck identification, then head out on the trail to try your new skills. A limited binoculars are available to borrow. 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 3. Visitors Center, 2 Marshlands Road, Fremont. Free. 510-792-0222, ext. 363.

The Great Backyard Bird Count: Birdwatchers of all ages are invited to participate in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are. Participants tally the number of individual birds of each species they see during their count period (Feb. 15-18) then enter these numbers at www.birdsource.org. A free GBBC account must be set up to submit a checklist. If you do not wish to submit your observations on the Internet, take your tally sheets to Wild Birds Unlimited, 692 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill and they will relay the data.

Wild Kenya: Learn about Maasai culture and Kenya's wildlife with Salaton Ole Ntutu. He will describe growing up as a Maasai boy to become a warrior, healer and community leader and how he is protecting the environment for wild animals now. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. Free with cost of admission. $7 adults, $5 kids. 925-935-1978.

Monarch Butterfly Walks: Tour Ardenwood's monarch overwintering site on an easy stroll of less than a mile. Search for clusters of butterflies hanging from eucalyptus branches and learn about their migration. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through January. Ardenwood, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. 888-327-2757, www.ebparksonline.org.

V-I-Peek programs: New programs at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum offer a behind-the-scenes opportunity to see what it's like to work with their unique collection of animals. Eagle Encounter: Learn from eagle handlers what it's like to work with these birds, help prepare a meal and get premium seating for the exhibit hall presentation of Raptors! Keeper Experience: Meet resident animal ambassadors (reptile, bird and mammal) up close and personal and help animal keepers prepare meals, create enrichment activities and assist with a public presentation. Space is limited. Participants must be 10 years or older and advanced registration is required. $175 per person; $150 members. $275 per guardian/child combination; $250 members. 925-935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.

Fishing in the City: Learn to fish clinics teach the basics of fishing to children and adolescents ages 5-15. Equipment and tackle are provided. There is no charge for the clinics but there may be a park entrance fee. Each adult may bring two children; a driver's license is required for a rod loan. For information, email erotman@dfg.ca.gov.

Dog Book Reading Club: Do you love dogs? Want to learn more about their behavior, training, learning, body language, and using positive training methods? The Humane Society Silicon Valley Dog Book Reading Club meets from 2-4 p.m. fourth Sundays monthly to discuss a different book. 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. Free. 408-262-2133, www.hssv.org.

San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival: Featuring more than 60 events including an art show, bird watching, guided trip to Skaggs Island for raptor viewing, boat trip on the Napa River and more. Feb. 8-10, Mare Island. All events are free. Schedule: www.sfbayflywayfestival.com.

Butterflies of San Francisco: Liam O'Brien, Bay Area lepidopterist, will discuss the easy ways to identify the 34 breeding species of butterfly within San Francisco, as well as plants that gardeners can grow to enhance their life cycles and restore native habitats. 7-8 p.m. Feb. 11. Sunset Branch Library, 1305 18th Ave.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Guided Wetlands Tours: A wildlife naturalist will lead a group (minimum of 18 people) through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Learn wildlife identification and behavior patterns, conservations efforts and more. The experience can be customized to include requested information, along a half-mile walking route. For information and scheduling, call 530-846-7505 or email ldieter@dfg.ca.gov. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/graylodge/index.html.

Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve docent-led walks: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Binoculars and bird books available to borrow at no cost. Visitor Center and main overlook are fully accessible. Day use is $4.32 per person, ages 16 and older. Groups of 10 or more should schedule a separate tour. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region4/elkhorn.html.